Alana's village is starving, for their livestock stolen and their crops refuse to grow. Alana joins an unseemly accomplice in stealing goods from the wagons traveling to the castle. Alana, her accomplice, and a few of her friends break into the castle treasury room. Unfortunately, a tragedy unfolds that night. Her refusal to stay away from her accomplice has led her to be accountable for her mistakes.
The sun has been up for hours as Alana never slept; she aches to grieve for the loss of her friend. The waves crash over and over against the rocks below her. She regrets nothing over the past few months, even with the bounty upon her head, dead or alive. Her brother accuses her of being a disgrace to her family and placing them in danger. Her friend is dead, her family hates her, and the bounty hunters search for her.
“Yesterday, your body was sent out to sea, and flaming arrows soar through the sky, igniting your dead body. Your death is mine now, for I shall never walk these lands again,” says Alana. She closes her eyes, recalling her friend’s strong arms around her as he saved her from the arrow. The warmth of his breath against her face as they shared their hopes and dreams. The breeze flutters against her bare feet as she stands on the edge of the cliff. “Forgive me,” she whispers.
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READ MOREAlana watches Prince Mitchell and Lord Tyler appear out of the tree coverage on their black stallions. The family crest is visible on the prince’s tunic. Alana leans against a tree as her horse drinks from the creek, and she watches Mitchell tell his confidant to stay back as he approaches her. She did not want to smile, but how could she not?
“My lady, where do you roam?” Mitchell asks, jumping off his horse.
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